At just 24 years old, Migs Pascual has already experienced a great deal in his basketball career.
He reached the highest of highs during his time with San Beda-Rizal and Gilas Boys, while also enduring the lowest of lows after suffering an injury following his first year at the University of the East.
Through it all, there has been a guiding hand helping shape his path—a Red Warriors great in Allan Caidic.
“Right before the pandemic, I started working with him,” Caidic told Tiebreaker Times.
“Masipag yung bata—no doubt, no question. Talagang makikita mo yung dedication and determination niya to improve.”
After his stint with UE, the 5-foot-10 guard moved to San Sebastian College-Recoletos before turning pro last year with Sarangani.
Despite everything he has gone through, Pascual continues to pursue his passion—something that has impressed Caidic.
“From the very start pa lang, sinabi ko sa kanya na sa basketball, there are so many obstacles na mami-meet mo—trials—bago mo ma-reach yung destination or goal mo. So you just work for it. Find a way to get to your goal—huwag kang hihinto at tatalikod na lang. ‘Yan yung pinanghawakan niyang mindset,” said Caidic.
“Tapos na ‘yan—huwag mo nang i-brag. Just keep learning, keep working hard para mag-improve. Kasi pinag-aaralan ka rin ng mga kalaban—may scouting din sa’yo. So dapat tuloy-tuloy yung learning at tuloy-tuloy din yung hard work sa practice,” he continued, referring to Pascual’s past accolades. “Pero kung sa tingin mo may matutunan ka sa ibang bagay na makakadagdag sa pagiging player mo, then go for it—work for it. Mindset lang—positive—na there will always be trials.
“So yun lang naman ako sa kanya. Parang role ko is to guide him. Sabi ko, if there’s anything na bumabagabag sa kanya sa game or kahit ano, feel free to message me. So ayun—maayos naman.”
Beyond being a mentor, Caidic—widely regarded as the greatest shooter in Philippine basketball history—has also helped refine Pascual’s shooting.
“Nakakatuwa naman kay Migs kasi he absorbs everything na natututunan niya. He applies it. Plus the fact na may natural touch na siya as a shooter, siguro dahil sa tatay niya. Kaya hindi naging mahirap for him to adjust,” said Caidic, who described his role in Migs’ development as a full-circle moment, as Pascual’s father, Edmon, once played in his leagues.
“Sa decision-making naman—when to shoot and when not to shoot—they should know what’s a good shot and a bad shot. Importante sa akin ang relocation, para ma-realize niya na kahit wala siyang bola, makikita siya na may bola kapag libre siya. Ganun ang mindset niya.”
Caidic believes it is not too late for Pascual to achieve his dreams.
After all, hard work will always trump talent.
“Since nag-decide siya na maglaro sa MPBL, sabi ko, this is another stepping stone para sa kanya. Ang importante lang, mabigyan ng exposure at ma-apply niya yung mga natutunan niya. Ibig sabihin nun, tuloy-tuloy ang improvement niya. So, posible naman talaga,” he said.
“Basta ingatan lang niya ang katawan niya, iwasan ang injury, maging consistent, at hopefully may makakapansin na coach sa PBA—especially kung gusto niyang magpa-draft sa susunod.”
